Martin Keown believes Arsenal do not need to keep chasing a striker this summer, and has suggested right-back may be the position Mikel Arteta needs to strengthen before the window shuts on September 1.
The former Arsenal defender made his view clear as the club continue a busy summer in which they have already spent over £150million, while also working on adding more firepower after failed moves for Morgan Rogers and Vinicius Junior. Arsenal are also in negotiations for Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen, but Keown feels the case for another centre-forward is not as strong as some might think.
“No,” Keown said when asked whether Arsenal need a new striker.
He added: “I wondered whether they might look again at a striker. But they obviously feel now Havertz has come through the pre-season… I think that’s really critical and he’s got that base for the season, so no.”
Right-back could be the real issue
Keown’s main concern is not Arsenal’s forward line but the right side of defence. Jurrien Timber has already been ruled out for the first few weeks of the season, and Ben White’s availability is another issue after he suffered four separate injuries and missed 13 games last season.
That is why Keown thinks Arteta may be more likely to look for cover there than up front.
“Right-back could be a problem if Jurrien Timber’s not going to be ready because obviously Ben White’s had a few injuries, but Mosquera again can go into that position. So, that might be something they’re looking at, to bring a right-back in,” he said.
It is a simple argument, but a practical one. Arsenal can carry plenty of attacking options if Kai Havertz is physically ready and Gabriel Jesus remains part of the picture. The more urgent question may be whether the defensive balance on the right can hold up through the opening weeks of the campaign.
A bigger season than one signing
Keown’s comments also land at an important time for Arsenal. They face Manchester City in the Community Shield on Sunday, then begin their Premier League title defence against Coventry City next Friday. With the Champions League also on the agenda, Arteta is trying to build a squad that can cope with multiple fronts.
That is why the transfer debate matters. Arsenal are not simply trying to add numbers; they are trying to solve the right problem before deadline day. Keown’s verdict is that the striker question may already have been answered, but the right-back issue remains live.
For Arsenal, the next few weeks will show whether they agree.
